BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The opioid epidemic in western New York is killing residents at a rapid rate. News 4’s Jenn Schanz, Luke Moretti, Dave Greber and Nalina Shapiro took a deeper look into the widespread issue plaguing the local area.

(Law enforcement officials discussed what it will take to combat the opioid crisis in Inside The Epidemic)

(Opioids can fool the brain into thinking drugs are necessary for survival like food & water )

(DEA: Most of the heroin that ends up in WNY moves up from the nation's southwest border)

(A former Ithaca needle dump is slowly getting cleaned up)

Watch the full special “Inside The Epidemic,” in the video above and learn where you can get treatment below.